The Passe-Guide Bag for Spain designed by Hermès was auctioned by Christie’s of London on October 7, 2013. The A One-of-a-Kind Passe-Guide Bag for Spain, Sold to Benefit the Museo Nacional del Prado Online Only auction will end on October 21, 2013, when the bag will be eventually sold to the highest bidder. The money will be donated to Museo Nacional del Prado.
The collaboration between Hermes and Christie’s doesn’t come as a surprise: last year the two of them worked together for the Leather Forever exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Back then, Hermès introduced four new one-of-a-kind versions of the iconic Passe-Guide handbag (introduced in 1975). They were all sold more than three times the pre-sale estimate.
This time, the new Passe-Guide handbag honours Spain’s culture. The exceptional accessory was designed by Hermes’s creative director, Couli Jobert. “Elegant and playful, this original ‘Passe-Guide’ bag is a variation, in black Box calfskin and embroidered silk satin, on the model designed in 1975 by Henri d’Origny. It is a unique design, which evokes the rhythmic steps of the harnessed horses at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, accompanied by the rustle of dresses, trains and ‘suits of lights’ that pervade the paintings of Velázquez and Goya. It features the motif of the ‘En désordre’ silk scarf, an adaptation of Hermès’ legendary ‘Brides de Gala’ design, hand-embroidered with beads and sequins.”
